Absorption of Radiation: Calculating Sphere Area

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the calculation of the area of a sphere in the context of radiation absorption, exploring concepts like specific surface area and its relation to density. Participants are examining the implications of these calculations within theoretical and practical frameworks.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant inquires about a law for calculating sphere area related to radiation absorption, suggesting a connection to specific surface area.
  • Another participant mentions the formula for the area of a sphere as ##\pi r^2##, but later clarifies that they are looking for a version that incorporates density.
  • There is a suggestion that the specific surface area could be expressed as ##3/(\rho r)##, but the context of "density" remains unclear.
  • One participant expresses frustration over the brevity of another's posts, indicating a desire for more detailed questions to facilitate discussion.
  • A participant notes that the sphere has the smallest surface area per volume, questioning the clarity of the original inquiry.
  • Another participant provides definitions and clarifications regarding specific surface area, suggesting it could refer to surface area per unit mass or volume.
  • There is a discussion about the potential interpretations of "density" in the context of absorption, with some participants speculating on whether it refers to mass or volume.
  • Concerns are raised about the ambiguity in the original question, with calls for clearer communication to avoid confusion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the specific question being asked or the definitions being used, indicating that multiple competing views and interpretations remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the clarity of the original question, particularly regarding the definitions of density and the context of absorption versus adsorption. The discussion also highlights the need for more precise communication to facilitate understanding.

hagopbul
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Hello:

Do anyone remember a law to calculate an area of a sphere ,some thing like the specific surface area but relative to absorption of radiation ?
 
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Like ##\pi r^2\ ## ?
 
BvU said:
Like ##\pi r^2\ ## ?

Yes but with density elements
 
In what context ? You seem to have a specific expression for absorption in mind ... what density, and of what ?
 
Hagopbul, will you please write more than one sentence at a time? It is infuriating when it takes many days and may posts before you finally have written the entire question.
 
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I was wondering about radiation absorption in simple radiation pressure equation , a professor on YouTube used the (pi r^2 )
equation .
I start to ask myself can we have other area law , one that includes density ?
Just like specific surface area = 3/(roh*r)
 
The sphere has the smallest surface area per volume. Maybe you already knew that. But it's not clear what you're asking.
 
hagopbul said:
Just like specific surface area = 3/(roh*r)
Never heard of it
hagopbul said:
professor on YouTube
In spite of my answer in #2, not me. But then: WHO ?
hagopbul said:
one that includes density
Did I already ask What density ? And of what ?
 
Presumably you already know that the area of a sphere is ##4πr^2##, and that its volume is ##4/3πr^3##.

That's the least surface area per volume for a closed bounded object in ##\mathbb R^3##.

Is surface area to volume ratio what you mean by density in your question about absorption (and not adsorption?) of radiation?
 
  • #10
hagopbul said:
3/(roh*r)
##\rho## is spelled rho.

"Specific surface area" would be surface area per unit mass. The "specific surface area" of a sphere would be the area of the sphere (##4 \pi r^2##) divided by its mass (##\rho \frac{4}{3} \pi r^3##) yielding a result of ##\frac{3}{\rho r}##

Possibly you are chasing something like absorption per unit mass for spherical pellets of a given density and radius in a uniform omnidirectional light bath. Or, since radiation pressure has been mentioned, possibly we are talking about illumination from a single direction -- in which case we need to divide by four. Both interpretations ignore the problem of self-shading, so perhaps something else entirely is meant.

As has been suggested, we should not have to play guessing games to tease a question out of the questioner.
 
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  • #11
According to wikipedeia:

Specific surface area (SSA) is a property of solids defined as the total surface area of a material per unit of mass,[1] (with units of ##m^2/kg## or ##m^2/g##) or solid or bulk volume[2][3] (units of ##m^2/m^3## or ##m^−1##).​

I was wondering whether the volumetric meaning might have been intended.
 
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  • #12
jbriggs444 said:
##\rho## is spelled rho. But what ##\rho##r is supposed to denote is anyone's guess.
My guess was that rho meant density and that r meant radius.
"Specific surface area" would be surface area per unit mass. The "specific surface area" of a sphere would be the area of the sphere ##(4 \pi r^2)## divided by its volume (##4/3 \pi r^3##) yielding a result of ##\frac{3}{\rho r}##
I notice that you also guessed that he might have meant per volume rather than per mass by SSA (of a sphere) ##=3/\rho*r##, given that, absent units -- ##gm^3## or ##m^3## -- it could refer to either.
As has been suggested, we should not have to play guessing games to tease a question out of the questioner.
I think I'll have to agree with the grown folks on that. :oldeyes:
 
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